The "New England Journal of Higher Education" ("NEJHE") Executive Editor John O. Harney had the chance to catch up with Lasell College President Michael Alexander about the small Newton, Massachusetts, college's plans to challenge the higher education business model. The interview is presented in this article.

Throughout the twentieth century the population of the United States, as indeed the rest of the world, was growing older. Since 1900 the percentage of Americans 65 years of age and older has more than tripled (from 4 percent in 1900 to 13 percent in 2009), and the number has increased from 3 million to 40 million. "Between 2010 and 2050, the…

No matter how great one's campus is, no matter how wonderful the job is, no matter how much one likes going to work, the day will come when one leaves his/her office with its groaning shelves for the last time. Retirement is uncharted territory until one gets there, so illuminating ideas from somebody who has already experienced it might be…

Over the next decade, Baby Boomers will be reaching retirement age in large numbers and the U.S. will be undergoing one of the most significant demographic shifts in its history. This demographic shift has important implications for the role of higher education as a provider of lifelong learning and for the changing composition of postsecondary…

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was sufficient emphasis on senior college programming in New Mexico public higher education institutions and if that programming should be formalized. It was suggested that an initiative among New Mexico higher education institutions be undertaken to create a statewide network for senior college…

The nonprofit sector employs more than 9% of the U.S. workforce, compared with 7% six years ago, when nonprofit executive Stephen Pratt and the author outlined the size and impact of the New England nonprofit sector. The sector's portion of America's employment is poised for growth into double digits in the next decade, especially due to the…

In the late 1990s, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation made grants to study people's attitudes toward retirement and to determine what factors influenced their decisions to retire. Although faculty were not talking to college administrators or human-resources departments about health care, the researchers found to their surprise that when they…

Thirty-two sources in gerontology, located at the University of Rhode Island Library, are listed in this annotated bibliography as well as some interdisciplinary sources. This bibliography contains material published as recently as 1996 and includes annotations of an "Older Americans Almanac," bibliographies, a biographical dictionary,…

Discusses "non-traditional students" and what they are doing in traditionally youth-oriented aggregates, the campuses of our colleges and universities. (Author/RK)

Suggests that retired professors, officially organized, recognized, and modestly funded, would bring an extended-family presence to the campus and provide a partnership with teaching faculty and students involved in gerontological education and practice. They could provide supplementary support in organizing and participating in symposia,…

A profile of 452 older adults enrolled in Learning-in-Retirement institutes showed they had relatively high economic status and extensive educational background. They were motivated by self-actualization, perceived cognitive gaps, intellectual curiosity, and social contact. An intellectually stimulating curriculum is a pivotal factor in predicting…

A study of 101 alumni of the Leadership Ashville Seniors program shows that middle class, well-educated retirees who had been professionals/managers want volunteer, leadership, and learning opportunities. Higher education can help develop roles that counter commonly believed age stereotypes. (SK)

An overview of preretirement program models is presented, dealing with such concerns as finances, health, housing, social and personal factors, and use of time. Specific programs are reviewed, and sources for additional information are identified. (LBH)

Examines the relationship between well-educated, upper middle-class retirees and their retirement community in the development of discourse that influences television program choices and discussion of content. Finds interest in living in the present, a preference for quality television, and an insistence on "serious" leisure urge residents toward…

Over 30 years, the Community Church College in Florida has offered a formal curriculum for residents of a retirement community. Essential elements are a wide range of offerings, flexibility, lack of emphasis on credentials, no examinations, and a focus on lifelong learning. (SK)